Rockies Take Series From Dodgers With 6-1 Win

2 years ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Josh Rutledge began the season at Triple-A before the Colorado Rockies recalled him less than three weeks ago. The little-used second baseman came up big in a key situation on Sunday to help them win another series.

Rutledge hit a three-run homer to support Jorge De La Rosa's seven strong innings, and the Rockies beat the error-prone the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 in the rubber game of the three-game set.

Colorado was leading 3-1 in the sixth when Rutledge drove Hyun-Jin Ryu's 89th and final pitch into the left-field pavilion.

Rutledge's homer was the 16th of his career, and his first with more than one man on base since his grand slam on Sept. 16, 2012, at San Diego. He came into the game with one RBI in 18 at-bats.

"That was a big at-bat by Rut. Obviously, that changes the game there," manager Walt Weiss said. "He's not playing every day, but he's working hard and staying ready until he gets an opportunity."

Nolan Arenado had two hits and extended his career-best hitting streak to 17 games -- the longest active string in the majors. The Gold Glove third baseman also robbed Scott Van Slyke of extra bases, making a diving stop across the foul line behind third base and throwing him out.

"I told him that was one of the top three plays I've ever seen him make. And that's saying something, because we know there's a pretty good collection," Weiss said. "He's as good as I've seen, and he's changed several games this year with his defense."

The Rockies won their fourth straight series after beating San Diego, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

"We feel really good about it," right fielder Brandon Barnes said. "We don't take anything for granted and we keep battling every day."

De La Rosa (2-3) allowed a run and four hits. The left-hander has beaten the Dodgers in three straight starts after going 0-8 with a 7.32 ERA in his 10 previous career starts against them.

"I just tried to attack the hitters," De La Rosa said. "I know those guys and they know me, too. So I was just trying to make my pitches."

Ryu's two-out single in the second inning was Los Angeles' last hit until Matt Kemp doubled to right-center with two outs in the eighth against Adam Ottavino.

Ryu (3-2) gave up six runs and nine hits in five-plus innings. The Korean-born lefty is 0-2 with a 9.69 ERA in his three starts at Dodger Stadium, but 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in four road starts.

"The key against him is getting a good pitch to hit and being able to drive it," Barnes said. "He likes to stay on the corner, so you just have to try to get a ball up."

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez didn't start because of a bruised right thumb and Justin Turner filled in for him. Turner made one of the Dodgers' three errors. They have 26 on the season.

"We just need to relax a little bit and play good defense and be the good defensive players we all are," Turner said. "I wouldn't say we're pressing, but everyone's aware of what's going on. Sometimes I guess you try a little harder and then you get out of character."

Turner's throwing error in the second inning on De La Rosa's two-out single in the hole put runners at second and third. Ryu hit major league batting leader Charlie Blackmon with a pitch and gave up a two-run single by Barnes that put the Rockies ahead 2-1.

Three innings later, Ryu committed his first error in 37 major league starts when he bobbled a sacrifice bunt by Barnes and threw too late to first base. Blackmon scored the Rockies' third run, beating the throw by Turner after he tagged out Barnes in a rundown on an attempted steal.

Kemp also dropped a fly ball for the Dodgers.

Adrian Gonzalez had an RBI single in the first to make it 1-0 Los Angeles.

Ramirez pinch-hit in the ninth and got a two-out infield single against Chris Martin, who was making his second big league appearance. Gordon followed with a single that loaded the bases for Yasiel Puig, who grounded out to end the game.

Game Notes

The Dodgers, whose next victory will be their 10,000th as a franchise, begin a nine-game road trip Tuesday night at Minnesota. ... De La Rosa came in 0-3 with a 7.98 ERA in his three other road starts this season. ... The Dodgers recalled INF Carlos Triunfel from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned RHP Jose Dominguez to Triple-A Albuquerque. Triunfel was claimed on outright waivers from Seattle on April 2.